Vacation on Perfect Island

Need your help planning a perfect vacation.

I visited the beautiful Waikiki Beach, Hawaii many years ago. Nowadays, Maui and smaller islands should be more attractive. Take a look at reviews of the best islands and beaches on the planet.

25 Sexiest Beaches in the World
http://www.forbestraveler.com/2006/12/06121402_story.html<BR><BR>The World's Most Romantic Beaches
http://www.forbestraveler.com/2007/02/07021201_story.html<BR><BR>Based on the reviews, there are several islands I would love to visit.

Important elements are scenery, clear blue water and clean sand, and ideal for enjoying sunset surrounded by great restaurants with delicious food. Desirable activities include various water adventures and photography. Some interesting islands are Bahamas, Bali (girls), Caribbean, and Tahiti (Bora Bora). How would you compare these islands?

This 7-10 days vacation is scheduled for summer 2008. Is it more affordable to pay everything (flight, hotel, activities, etc.) separate or to simply select one of the vacation packages to, for example, Tahiti? I am traveling alone, while the price of a vacation package for one person to Tahiti is $1500 more expensive than the price for one couple. Is a vacation to Tahiti islands worth $5000? What are some alternatives? Recommended hotels, activities, restaurants?

Please share your experience of vacation on the perfect island.

These Forbes "surveys" have been the topic of discussion on here recently. They are very American centric. The "sexiest " beaches for example has 1 only from Australasia (Byron), only 3 from Asia (including Sanur - in my opinion one Bali's WORST beaches) and 1 only from the Pacific Isles yet 15 from the Americas.

On the question of Bali, as I said DONT go to Sanur. Jimbaran Bay is much nicer.

I'm not going to take the time to look at the surveys and I hate these where should I go questions.

However I will say a few things about French Polynesia (Tahiti and her islands). Definately worth it. The islands and their water are incredibly, unbelieveably, breathtakingly beautiful. Worth every penny. I almost wept as I got off the plane in Bora Bora, it was so beautiful there even at the airport.

If you are planning on staying in an upscale place then a package would probably work out cheaper. You might consider the Club Med on Bora Bora. I haven't stayed there and I have heard that it is mostly couples but you can get good deals and everything is included there (food, drinks and activities). Read more about French Polynesia at Tahiti Explorer and also the Tripadvisor Forums.

A note about sand. In French Polynesia most natural beaches are crushed coral not sand. Resorts sometimes create sandy beaches.

Actually, 100% of the beaches on SP islands are coral sand. Silica sand, as in California, etc., only exists (usually) on continental beaches. Coral sand is not as powdery and soft as silica sand, but the beauty is that it never gets that hot, unlike silica sand. So, no "ooh, ouch, ooh", as you burn your feet running towards the water on a hot day!

Bali is one destination I want to visit. Bali gets media attention especially when referring to travel destinations in south-east Asia. Why? I picture Bali as a beautiful island with Asian women similar to Thailand. Is that accurate? Tahiti islands are unparalleled, but Bali has the Asian women.

My concern is activities while on the Tahiti islands as I am traveling, essentially, alone. Are the beautiful secluded Tahiti islands and ocean activities worth so much money? I think so especial if the Tahiti islands are as beautiful as seen in photos.

Neither people nor parties really interests me, so the idea of sharing time on the dream islands with many couples is exciting to me. I hope the Tahiti islands are as beautiful and fun as I have imagined to justify returning on a cruise vacation in several years.

Vacation package to Fiji islands is considerably less expensive than Tahiti. Some reviews mention about Bora Bora being crowded now. French is the primary language of Tahiti, while English is of Fiji. Have you been to Fiji?

Google images of Bora Bora, then google images of anywhere else.

Silvano---
Maybe I've grown suspicious from similar postings, but if one reads between the lines---well, actually reads the lines themselves, I guess--he seems more interested in the woman than the scenery:

"I picture Bali as a beautiful island with Asian women similar to Thailand. Is that accurate? Tahiti islands are unparalleled, but Bali has the Asian women."

Why mention this unless he is searching for comments about women in Tahiti, Fiji, etc.?

I'm giving this one a pass from now on .

I am considering the unparalleled beauty of Bora Bora and vacation cost. I just cannot justify spending $5000 for a vacation to Bora Bora/Moorea to sit around watching couples. Any island alternative whose beauty is almost comparable, but much cheaper and is financially justifiable.

Does not matter when I first read about Fiji (Octopus), Hawaii (Maui), and Tahiti (Bora Bora). These islands are the favorites from travel reviews. Quite amazing!

Please give your most recent experience. Greatly appreciated.

USAToday listed world's best beaches from TripAdvisor:

TripAdvisor members' best beach destinations in the world - and top-ranked hotels.

1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos - The Tuscany
2. Boracay, Philippines- Dave's Straw Hat Inn
3. Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba - Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort
4. Negril, Jamaica - Westender Inn
5. Tulum, Mexico - Posada Luna del Sur
6. Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Marina Inn at Grand Dunes
7. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman - Caribbean Club
8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - Iberostar Grand Bavaro
9. Cape May, N.J. - Albert Stevens Inn
10. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica - Red Palm Villas

Tahiti and Fiji?

With the exception of Boracay, you will note that the rest are in or near the USA. No accident as most respondents to Tripadvisor are from there.

BTW Ive been to Boracay and it is a great place. The beach is getting very (comparitively) crowded nowadays but still worth visiting

Here's an American opinion...a beach in New Jersey? gimme a break! How these folks left out the SP is beyond me. I've seen most of the coastline from Maine to Alaska and a lot of the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, NZ & Australia.

IMHO none of them compare to the places I've been to in Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji or the Cook Islands.

I would add New Caledonia, Vanuatu and much of Asia !